SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Manila HeiHei dominated the group stage games in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Invitational powered by TM, Wednesday at Laus Group Events Centre here.
In its first game, Cameroonian reinforcement Mike Nzeusseu powered Manila to a 21-15 (6:51) win over Pacquiao Coffee Bacolod, who ended their Pool A campaign with a 1-1 slate.
Manila followed it up with an equally imposing 21-13 (6:48) victory over the winless Adam Esli Pasay.
Manila will face Pool B second seed BRT Sumisip Basilan in the knockout quarterfinals later in the day.
Behind Hamadou Laminou, Basilan, who lost to the Pasig Kingpins earlier in the day 21-9 (6:34), vented their ire on the Zamboanga Valientes MLV 21-15 (8:37). Nikki Monteclaro and Pasig booted out the Valientes with a 22-10 (8:05) to seal a showdown with Pool A second placer Bacolod.
In Group B, Homegrown Grains Bocaue ended the group stages with a clean 2-0 slate after slipping past ARQ Builders-Cebu 21-16 (7:15. They then escaped MNL Kingpin Quezon City, 21-17 (8:30). Jayvee Marcelino was the hero for Bocaue in the second game.
Cebu also advanced to the quarterfinals in this tournament that has P100,000 going to the champion; and P50,000 and P20,000 for the second and third placers, respectively, after routing Quezon City, 21-11 (8:17).
Bocaue will face Essen Immunoboost Sarangani, while Cebu will square off against AMACOR Mandaluyong.
Mandaluyong was able to seal top seed in Pool D after taking a thrilling 21-20 (9:27.3) over Sarangani thanks to a stepback game-winner by Michael Macaballug.
The Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Invitationals powered by TM is endorsed by FIBA 3×3; regulated by the Games and Amusements Board; and supported by Wilson Basketball.
